American Aquarium at Beauty Bar

Any Wilco fan will recognize this rootsy North Carolina band’s name from the opening lyric to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but American Aquarium leader BJ Barham’s gritty tunes and relatable stories are more reminiscent of Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown. If that’s not reason enough to attend, try righteous new LP Things Change. With Jaime Wyatt. August 17, 8 p.m., $15. –Spencer Patterson

Shine Con at Tuscany Suites

Las Vegas is becoming a mecca for genre fans and cosplayers. Now, joining the comic-book fests and Star Trek confabs is Shine Con, a celebration of all things anime. Suit up in your Dragon Ball Z finest and enjoy three days of panel discussions, gaming tournaments and—naturally—cosplay. August 17-19, $10-$20, shineconvegas.com. –Geoff Carter

Cheech & Chong at Orleans Showroom

Considering the current state of marijuana legalization across the country, you might expect a comedy show from pot advocates and counterculture icons Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong to be some sort of victory lap. Not the case, Cheech says.

“I don’t think it plays into it at all, because it’s always been legal to us and our crowd, so it’s no big surprise,” laughs the 72-year-old actor, activist and art collector. “Our audience has always had the attitude that this was inevitable, and now it’s everywhere. My prediction now is that within a year it will be federally legal. It’s just going that way.”

He’s back on the road now with his comedy partner after their successful 2008 reunion, but Marin is also capitalizing on cannabis through Cheech’s Private Stash, an exclusive selection of curated strains. “We don’t grow it; we’re just a curatorial entity. Our motto is it will always be good. It will not always be the same, but it will always be good.” August 18, 8 p.m., $50. –Brock Radke

Freak Show at Erotic Heritage Museum

A proper carnival sideshow, with burlesque dancers, variety acts, stand-up comics and straight-up sideshow freaks, takes a break from a successful LA run to play Vegas. Your host is Tuesday Thomas, “the punk rock Cher.” August 18, 9:30 p.m., $30. –Geoff Carter

DJ Snake at XS

His lightning-storm Seven Magic Mountains photo shoot is all over the latest edition of Billboard magazine and DJ Snake is all over the Strip this weekend, doing Encore Beach Club’s Nightswim Thursday before pumping up the party at XS Saturday night. August 18, 10:30 p.m., $25-$45. –Brock Radke

Las Vegas Aces' Finale at Mandalay Bay Events Center

It’s been an eventful inaugural campaign in Vegas for the Aces, from A’ja Wilson’s pro debut to a playoff push that went down to the wire. This is your last chance to jump onboard. August 19, 3 p.m., $17-$227. –Spencer Patterson

Pirates, Parents and Phantoms at Summerlin Library

Enjoy a free 90-minute concert as Sin City Opera previews its ninth season with highlights from The Pirates of Penzance, Gianni Schicchi, A Night With the Flying Dutchman and more. August 19, 3 p.m., free. -C. Moon Reed

Laura McBride Book Signings at Barnes & Noble

The local author travels the Valley to sign copies of latest novel In the Midnight Room, about a fictional casino lounge. August 21, Noon-2 p.m., 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd.; 3-5 p.m., 8915 W. Charleston Blvd.; 6-8 p.m., 567 N. Stephanie St.; free. –C. Moon Reed